Cruz challenges Obama: 'Come back and insult me to my face'

Cruz is adamantly opposed to admitting Syrian refugees into the United States after one of the suspected attackers entered France posing as a refugee. Obama said those who want to block refugees are "scared of widows and three-year-old orphans" during remarks made from the Philippines.

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In comments to reporters on Wednesday, Cruz relished the opportunity to challenge the president to come back home and debate him face-to-face.

"I think that's really quite rich that he chose to do, make both of those insults on foreign soil while he was abroad attacking me and attacking everyone else in this country who believes we should not be bringing in tens of thousands of Syrian Muslim refugees that the Obama administration cannot vet to determine whether or not they are [Islamic State] terrorists," Cruz said. "Mr. President, if you want to insult me, you can do it overseas, you can do it in Turkey, you can do it in foreign countries, but I would encourage you Mr. President, come back and insult me to my face. Let's have a debate on Syrian refugees right now. We can do it anywhere you want. I'd prefer it in the United States and not overseas where you're making the insults. It's easy to toss a cheap insult when no one can respond."

Cruz ranks second in the Washington Examiner's GOP presidential power rankings.